Therapie des hepatozellulären Karzinoms mit Iod-131- Lipiodol: Ergebnisse bei einer großen deutschen Kohorte

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of iodine- 131-lipiodol ( 131I-lipiodol) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in German long term patients and comparison with medically treated controls. Patients, Methods: 38 courses of intra-arterial 131I-lipiodol therapy with a total activity up to 6.7 GBq were performed in 18 patients with HCC (6 with portal vein thrombosis). Liver and tumour volume and lipiodol deposition were measured by computed tomography and 131I activity by scintigraphy. Therapeutic efficacy was determined by tumour volume change and matched-pairs analysis in comparison to medically (i.e. tamoxifen or medical support) treated patients. Results: Tumour volume decreased in 20/32 index nodules (63%) after the first course. Repeated therapy frequently resulted in further tumour reduction. Overall response to treatment was partial in 11 nodules, minor response in 4 nodules, and disease was stable in 12 and progressive in 5. Significant response was associated with pretherapeutic nodule volume up to 150 ml (diameter of 6.6 cm). Survival rate after 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months was 78, 61, 50, 39, 17, and 6%. Matched-pairs analysis of survival revealed 131I-lipiodol to be superior to medical treatment. The most important side effect was a pancreatitis-like syndrome whereas overall tolerance was good. Conclusion: The long term results confirm that HCC therapy with 131I-lipiodol is effective and probably superior to medical treatment. Tumour nodules of up to 6 cm diameter are well suited for this therapy even in the presence of portal vein thrombosis.